Wolf Mankowitz

Set in Ireland in 1921, this is the deceptively simple story of a young revolutionary who seeks shelter from an elderly refugee. Separated by their very different backgrounds they are united in their fear of the outside world. In a moment of crisis a decision has to be made: to defend a principle through violent or pacific means?

Six year-old Joe knows a unicorn when he sees one. His downstairs neighbour Mr Kandinsky has told him all about these mythical creatures, and there isn't anything in the world that this wise tailor doesn't know. So when Joe sees a little white goat amidst the singing birds, salted herrings and hokey-pokey ices of a Whitechapel market he has to have him. He knows it's just a matter of time before the tiny bump on the unicorn's head becomes the magic horn to grant his every wish. For in the embattled working-class community of 1950s East End London, there are plenty of people in need of good fortune. The only thing Mr Kandinsky wants is a steam press for his shop; his assistant Shmule, a wrestler, just needs to buy a ring for his girl; and all Joe and his mother wish for, more than anything, is to join his father in Africa. But maybe, just maybe, Joe's unicorn can sprinkle enough luck on all his friends for their humble dreams to come true. A Kid for Two Farthings is part of The Bloomsbury Group, a new library of books from the early twentieth-century chosen by readers for readers.

Includes the plays The Samson Riddle and Essay; The Bespoke Overcoat; The Hebrew Lesson; It Should Happen to a Dog; and The Mighty Hunter. When The Bespoke Overcoat was first performed in 1953, Wolf Mankowitz was immediately hailed as one of Britain's most exciting young playwrights. From the poverty of the East End to the conflict in Northern Ireland to the society and politics of biblical Palestine, his plays are famous for their poignant wit and outstanding dialogue, depicting acts of humanity and brutality, goodwill and violence, in a flawed but fascinating world. Spanning the full twenty-five years of Mankowitz's career as a dramatist, this volume provides a selection of his best work for the stage. Alongside Mankowitz's longest and most challenging play The Samson Riddle, it also includes the full text of his powerful accompanying essay, as well as an introduction by his official biographer Anthony Dunn. "Mr Mankowitz has a perfect ear for the rhythm and idiom of East End speech...hilarious and mournful by turn and tinged throughout with poetry" Kenneth Tynan on The Bespoke Overcoat.

There isn't a jollier show anywhere than this musical version of The Pickwick Papers. It exactly catches the cheerful and good-hearted spirit of the gentleman with the bald head and round glasses who is its hero. the well-loved story, the tuneful music and witty lyrics provide a recipe that can't fail to delight audiences. The famous "If I Ruled the World" is just one of a host of strong numbers, and there is plenty of work for chorus and dancers.6 women, 13 men

Fender, an old Jewish nightwatchman, dies even while his friend is making him his first good overcoat. He has waited all his life for such a coat, but dies in grief beforehand.4 men